Anti-pollution after burner

ABSTRACT

This disclosure is directed to an anti-pollution after burner and method for transforming the carbon particles and/or carbon monoxide found in exhaust gases discharging to atmosphere to carbon dioxide. This is attained by providing an after burner adjacent an exhaust stack and utilizing a liquid fuel which has been transformed into a substantially gaseous state mixed with excess combustion air prior to ignition. The hot products of combustion thus generated by the after burner are co-mingled with the exhaust products flowing through the stack whereby the heat and excess air of the generated hot gases effect the combustion of the carbon particles and/or the transformation of the carbon monoxide constituent to carbon dioxide.

United States Patent Reichhelm [451 Mar. 21, 1972 [54] ANTI-POLLUTION AFTER BURNER 3,408,167 10/1968 Burden ..23/277C [72] Inventor: Robert Reichhelm, 155 LePore Drive, Primary Examiner Douglas "an Lancaster 17602 Attorney-Bryan, Parmelee, Johnson & Bollinger [22] Filed: Feb. 16, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl.No.: 11,665

ThlS disclosure is directed to an anti-pollution after burner and method for transforming the carbon particles and/or car- {521 U.S. Cl. ..60/30, 23/2 C, 23/277 C 'bon monoxide found in exhaust gases discharging to [51] Int. Cl ..F0ln 3/12 mosphere to carbon dioxide. This is attained by providing an [58] Field of Search ..60/29, 30; 23/2 C, 277 C after burner adjacent an exhaust stack and utilizing a liquid fuel which has been transformed into a substantially gaseous 5 R f r ci d state mixed with excess combustion air prior to ignition. The hot products of combustion thus generated by the after burner UNITED STATES PATENTS are co-mingled with the exhaust products flowing through the stack whereby the heat and excess air of the generated hot 3,361,183 [/1968 Relchhelm ..43l/116 gases effect the combustion ofthe carbon particles and/or the 2725950 12/1955 Chnsuansen" "23/277 C transformation of the carbon monoxide constituent to carbon 2,879,862 3/1959 Burden ..60/30 dioxide 2,953,898 9/1960 Cornelius... 60/30 3,219,418 1 H1965 Whitmire ..60/30 11 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures I2 IO 28 58 w 1" 1}, v. f 4, r a; 2 7A n O O 4 38 i- I 1 I5 32 1 7 J i l 27 C -/5 l 1 /8A 32 i in 1 l6 35 1 7 i i 25 7 2 4 F U E L i I r A H? E XH AU 5 T 23 ANTI-POLLUTION AFTER BURNER PROBLEM IN THE ART A current environmental problem is air pollution. Much of the present air pollution can be attributed to incomplete combustion of various types of fuel causing unburned carbon particles and carbon monoxide to be exhausted to atmosphere. Internal combustion engines and diesels used to power cars and trucks along the roads and highways substantially contribute to the air pollution problem. Also pollution of the type to which this invention is directed can result from the gases and exhaust vented to atmosphere from chimneys, incinerators and other sources of combustion wherein combustion is not complete.

OBJECTS It is an object of this invention to provide a method and.apparatus whereby the combustion particulates and/or carbon monoxide resulting from various combustion processes exhausting to atmosphere can be readily transformed to carbon dioxide.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus wherein the carbon and carbon monoxide in exhaust gases are co-mingled with very hot products of combustion comprising of a lean mixture of carbon dioxide and excess air to transform the carbon and carbon monoxide in the exhaust gases to carbon dioxide.

Another object is to provide an after burner in which liquid fuel is gasified and mixed with an excess amount of air to provide very hot products of combustion which are then directly co-mingled with the exhaust gases prior to venting to atmosphere.

Another object is to provide an after burner adjacent the exhaust end of a combustion device whereby the hot products of combustion generated by the after burner are free to co-mingle with the exhaust gases and whereby a portion of the hot products of combustion generated by the after burner is utilized to effect gasification of the liquid fuel being supplied to the after burner.

Another more specific object is to provide in combination with the exhaust of a diesel engine an after burner for generating hot products of combustion in an atmosphere of excess air and co-mingling the hot products of such combustion with the exhaust gases of the engine prior to the venting thereof to atmosphere, and thereby minimizing the carbon and/or carbon monoxide content of the exhaust gases venting to atmosphere.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects, features and other advantages of this invention are attained by the method and/or apparatus of utilizing in conjunction with a stack for venting exhaust products of combustion to atmosphere, a combustion chamber in which the exhaust gases are intimately mixed with very hot products of combustion generated by a liquid fuel burner in which the liquid fuel is first transformed into a substantially gaseous state and then mixed with an excess amount of combustion air to define a homogeneous air-rich fuel mixture. The homogeneous fuel mixture so formed is ignited in the after burner and the hot products of hot combustion directed to the combustion chamber to be intimately mixed with the exhaust gases prior to venting to atmosphere. Gasification of the liquid fuel supplied to the after burner is effected by recirculation of a portion of the after burner products of combustion to gasification chamber associated with the after burner and to which the liquid fuel is supplied prior to ignition. The direct heat transfer between the recirculating hot products of combustion and the liquid fuel impart the necessary heat to effect substantially gasification of the liquid fuel.

This arrangement is such that once ignition occurs a natural circulation is established to effect continual circulation of the hot products of combustion so as to effect continual gasification of the liquid fuel.

FEATURES A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a method and apparatus in which an after burner in the form of a liquid fuel burner firing gasified liquid fuel in an excess of combustion air is utilized to generate hot products of combustion which are subsequently mixed with the exhaust gases of a combustion process prior to the venting thereof to atmosphere to transform the carbon and carbon monoxide constituents in the exhaust gases to carbon dioxide.

Another feature resides in the provision of an after burner for generating hot products of combustion for mixture with the exhaust gases of a combustion process in which a portion of the hot products of combustion are utilized to effect gasification of a liquid fuel supplied to the after burner.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of an after burner which is relatively small in size, light in weight, and which can be readily adapted to use with the exhaust stack of a diesel or internal combustion engine.

Another feature resides in the provision of an antipollution after burner which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to construct, and which is positive in operation.

Another feature resides in the provision of an after burner construction which can be readily adapted to existing systems with a minimum of effort.

Others features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the after burner of this invention having portions thereof shown in section.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the after burner of FIG. 1 as applied to a motor vehicle.

DETAILED SPECIFICATION The invention contemplates a method of removing the carbon and carbon monoxide pollutants from the exhaust gases of various combustion processes. This is attained by generating hot gases from a combustion process in which a gasified liquid fuel is consumed in an atmosphere of excess air. The liquid fuel is gasified prior to ignition by heating. The gasification of the fuel can be achieved by mixing therewith a portion of the hot gases of combustion generated by the ignition of the fuel. The fuel thus gasified by direct heat transfer between the generated hot products of combustion and the liquid fuel is then mixed with an excess of combustion air prior to ignition. A 10 percent excess of combustion air has been found to be satisfactory. The combustible mixture of gasified liquid fuel and excess air is then supplied to a burner where it is ignited to generate hot gases of combustion. Because the fuel used is gasified and mixed with excess air to form a homogeneous fuel mixture, virtually complete combustion of the fuel is achieved. The resulting combustion gases thus comprise a lean mixture of CO with excess air. Because combustion is virtually complete, the resulting hot products of combustion, which attain a temperature in the order of 2,800" F., are virtually free of carbon and/or carbon monoxide pollutants.

The hot products of combustion thus generated are then directed to a combustion or mixing chamber into which the exhaust gases to be cleansed are directed wherein the exhaust gases and hot products of combustion are permitted to be intimately mixed. The heat and excess air of the hot products of combustion in mixing with the exhaust gases will effect the combustion of any carbon particles or soot entrained in the exhaust gases passing through the combustion chamber and/or transform the carbon monoxide of the exhaust gases to carbon dioxide.

, Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown an apparatus by which the described method can be readily carried out. As shown a means defining a combustion or mixing chamber 10 having an inlet 11 and an outlet 12 is suitably connected to a stack 13 which normally vents the exhaust gases of a combustion process to atmosphere. It will be understood that the stack 13 may be a chimney, an exhaust pipe of a motor vehicle, or any conduit for venting the exhaust gases of a combustion process in which carbon and/or carbon monoxide result therefrom. Spaced beyond the inlet to the chamber 10. is a baffle 14. The baffle 14 is supported intermediate the ends of the chamber by a plurality of radially extending spiders 15. The baffle is shaped and supported so as to have its peripheral edge spaced from the walls of the chamber to define an annular passage. As indicated by the arrows 16 which indicate the direction of flow of the exhaust gases through the chamber, the baffle 14 functions as a diffuser in directing the exhaust gases toward the periphery of the chamber 10.

Operatively associated with the chamber is a burner means 17 for generating hot products of combustion which are to be used for cleansing the exhaust gases of any carbon particles and/or carbon monoxide being entrained therein. The burner means comprises a burner head 18 which is suitably supported by a supporting strap 19 tied or secured to the inlet 11 or stack 13. The burner head 18 is provided with a face portion 18A having a burner orifice 20 formed therein. Formed in the burner head 18 is a mixing chamber 21 with which the orifice 20 communicates. To one side of the mixing chamber 21 and in communication therewith is a fuel gasifying chamber 22. Liquid fuel is supplied to the gasifying chamber 22 through a conduit 23. If desired a control valve may be disposed in the fuel line 23 to control the fuel flow to the gasifying chamber.

Combustion air is supplied to the burner head through the air supply pipe 25. As best seen in FIG. 1, the end of the supply pipe is provided with a nozzle or restrictor 26 disposed opposite the burner orifice 20.

Connected to and circumscribing the face of the burner head is a flame nozzle or chamber 27. The outlet end 27A of the flame nozzle is connected to a duct or extension 28 which communicates with the combustion or mixing chamber 10. In the illustrated embodiment the outlet 28A of the duct 28 is tangentially disposed with respect to the chamber 10. Thus as will be hereinafter described the hot gases of combustion generated by the burner 17 are introduced tangentially into chamber 10 to impart a whirling action thereto to enhance mixing.

To effect gasification of the liquid fuel, e.g., fuel oil introduced into the gasifying chamber, a means is provided for imparting heat to the liquid fuel within the gasifying chamber. In the illustrated embodiment this is attained by a conduit 30 connecting a port opening 31 formed adjacent the front end of the flame nozzle 27 with the gasifying chamber 22. Thus as indicated by arrows 32, a portion of the hot products of combustion, during burner operation, is permitted to be circulated to the gasification chamber where the hot gases are mixed with liquid fuel. The amount of hot gases circulated and the temperature thereof must be sufficient to heat the liquid fuel to approximately 600 to l,000 P. so as to effect gasification thereof.

Ignition of the fuel is effected by an igniter 34 located in the flame nozzle 27, and an auxiliary heater 35, e.g., a glow plug or band heater may be provided in the gasification chamber 22.

The operation of the antipollution after burner 17 is as follows.

On start-up, the fuel valve 24 and air valve 25A are proportioned in accordance to the desired excess air to fuel ratio desired. To effect initial gasification of the liquid fuel on startup the auxiliary heater or glow plug 35 is energized to bring the gasification chamber 22 up to a temperature ranging between 600 F. to l,000 F. The heater is thus maintained energized for a time sufficient to effect gasification of the liquid fuel, e.g., fuel oil, kerosene, or other liquid fuel. If desired a thermostatic switch may be wired in the circuit with the heater 35 to control the actuation thereof.

Upon initial gasification of the liquid fuel the gasified fuel is directed to the mixing chamber. The feed of the gasified fuel to the mixing chamber in the illustrated embodiment is induced by the negative pressure therein resulting from the flow of combustion air passing through the jet nozzle 26 to the burner orifice 20. As best seen in FIG. 1, the arrangement of tri-like restrictor resulting in a negative pressure thereat. The air and gasified fuel are thus intimately mixed to form a homogeneous gaseous fuel mixture. According to this invention approximately 10 percent excess air is permitted to mix with the gasified fuel. The air enriched combustion fuel mixture is thus discharged through the burner orifice 20 whereby it is ignited by the igniter 34.

Once the operation of the burner has been started and the fuel mixture ignited, the operation of the auxiliary heater can be terminated; except for possible automatic intermittent operation as may be called for by a thermostat to maintain the optimum temperature within the gasifying chamber 22.

With the burner 17 operating, a portion of the hot products of combustion generated in the burner or flame nozzle 27 are circulated through conduit 30 to the gasifying chamber whereby the heat of the circulated hot products of combustion is now utilized to effect gasification of the liquid fuel. Because of the pressure differential created by the flow of air and fuel mixture through the orifice 20, an area of reduced or negative pressure is produced which will result in a natural circulation of the products of combustion from the burner nozzle 27 to the gasifying chamber. In this manner a continuing selfsustaining gasifying and subsequent burning operation is maintained.

The remaining portion of the hot products of combustion and the excess air having a temperature of approximately 2,800 F. are directed through duct 28 to the combustion chamber 10. As the hot products of combustion and excess air are tangentially introduced into chamber 10, a whirling or swirling movement is imparted to the hot gases in chamber 10 as indicated by arrows 38. The whirling of the hot gases creates the turbulence necessary to intimately mix the hot gases with the exhaust gases passing through the chamber 10. Accordingly the heat of the hot products of combustion and excess present will effect the combustion of any of the carbon particles or soot entrained in the exhaust gases and/or transform the carbon monoxide (CO) constituent of the exhaust gases to carbon dioxide (C0 The resulting gases which have now been virtually cleansed of carbon or soot, and carbon monoxide are then vented from the chamber 10 through outlet 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, the burner construction and method herein described is illustrated as particularly adapted for use in combination with the exhauster 40 of a diesel driven truck or tractor 41. It will be noted that the inlet 11 of the chamber 10 is connected to the upper end 13 of the diesel exhauster 40. The air conduit 25 for supplying the excess combustion air is connected to the exhaust end of the trucks turbo supercharger. The fuel line 23 is connected to a suitable fuel reservoir of the truck. 1

The burner 17, herein described may be operatively connected to the combustion chamber 10 for either intermittent or continuous operation. Suitable controls, which do not constitute a part of this invention can be provided to effect the operation of the burner 17 when the particle emission, i.e., carbon or soot and/or carbon monoxide of the exhaust gases reach prohibited limits.

While FIG. 2 illustrates specific application to a diesel powered truck, it will be understood that the burner and method herein described can be also utilized with the exhaust system of a gasoline engine. Also the after burner may be applied to cleanse the exhaust of an incinerator, chimney or flue exhausting or venting the smoke or exhaust of any combustion process in which the combustion of the fuel is not rendered complete for various reasons.

The after burner described is constructed so that it is small and light in weight, and therefore can be readily utilized in combination with the exhaust of motor vehicles. Also by utilizing a gasified fuel with excess air, the resulting products of combustion are sufficiently free of the contaminating carbon particles and/or carbon monoxide so that the hot gases produced thereby can be readily used as cleansing gases for the described pollutants in the exhaust gases of an incomplete or poor combustion process.

While the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments it will be appreciated and understood that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Antipollution device for eliminating the visible combustion emissions from the exhaust products of combustion emitted into the atmosphere from an exhaust stack or chimney comprising means defining a combustion chamber connected to said stack, means for directing the exhaust products of combustion and entrained emissions flowing through said stack to said combustion chamber, means for generating hot combustion gases mixed with excess air,

means for directing said generated hot gases and excess air into said combustion chamber, said generating means comprising,

a burner means,

a gasifying chamber disposed adjacent said burner means,

means for introducing a liquid fuel into said gasifying chamber,

means for heating said liquid fuel within said gasifying chamber,

said means for heating said liquid fuel including means for recirculation of a portion of the hot products of combustion of said burner means to said gasifying chamber, means for introducing excess combustion air to said burner means to mix with said gasified fuel,

means for effecting the ignition of said gasified fuel mixture,

and means for directing the hot products of combustion chamber whereby said hot products of combustion comingle with and cause ignition of the combustible emission in said exhaust products prior to the emission thereof to atmosphere.

2. A method of eliminating combustible emissions and/or the carbon monoxide constituents from exhaust gases discharging to atmosphere, comprising the steps of directing the exhaust gases to a combustion chamber,

generating hot products of combustion by effecting the substantial gasification of a liquid fuel, said gasification of the liquid fuel being effected by circulating a portion of the hot products of combustion and mixing said circulated portion with said fuel prior to ignition, mixing an excess amount of combustion air with said gasified fuel to form a homogeneous fuel mixture prior to combustion and mixing said hot products of combustion with said exhaust gases and entrained combustible emissions in the combustion chamber whereby said hot products of combustion with excess air effect the transformation of carbon and/or carbon monoxide constituents to carbon dioxide.

3. An antipollution after burner capable of reducing unwanted emissions from an internal combustion engine, such as a diesel engine and capable of utilizing a low-grade liquid fuel, such as diesel fuel, to operate the after burner,

said after burner including a combustion chamber to receive the emissions from said engine, said chamber having an inlet to receive said emissions and an outlet, a generator to generate hot combustion gases, said generator including a gasifying chamber, means to supply liquid fuel to said gasifying chamber, a burning chamber, an air inlet to said burning chamber, and means to return a portion of the products of the combustion occurring in said burning chamber to said gasifying chamber to supply gasifying heat for use to gasify liquid fuel entering said gasifying chamber and means to direct the hot gases together with excess air to said combustion chamber whereby said engine emissions will be subject to further combustion to reduce the unwanted pollutants.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 and including means disposed in said combustion chamber to effect the intimate mixing of said exhaust products of combustion with said generated hot gases and excess air.

5. In combination with an exhaust of internal combustion engine, a combustion chamber having means defining an inlet and an outlet thereto,

means for connecting said exhaust of said engine in communication with said inlet whereby the exhaust products of said engine and any combustible emission entrained therein are directed to said combustion chamber,

burner means operatively associated with said combustion chamber, means for introducing liquid fuel and an excess of air to said burner and burning said fuel therein so that the resulting products of combustion define a mixture of hot combustion gases with an excess of air,

means for recirculating a portion of said products of combustion back to the inlet of said burner,

and means for directing said hot mixture of combustion gases and excess air to said combustion chamber to comingle with said exhaust products to change any carbon particles or carbon monoxide in said exhaust products to carbon dioxide.

6. An antipollution after burner comprising:

a combustion chamber having an inlet and an outlet,

said inlet being adapted to connect in communication with a stack through which exhaust products of combustion and any unburned carbon emission are exhausted,

a burner means operatively connected to said combustion chamber,

said burner means including burner head,

a burner nozzle connected to said burner head,

means in said burner head defining a mixing chamber,

said burner head having an orifice communicating said mixing chamber with said nozzle,

a fuel gasification chamber connected in communication with said mixing chamber,

means for introducing liquid fuel into said gasification chamber,

means for heating said liquid fuel within said gasification chamber to effect substantial gasification of said liquid fuel,

means for introducing excess combustion air into said mixing chamber to form a homogeneous fuel mixture with said gasified liquid fuel,

means for effecting ignition of said homogeneous fuel mixture, and means connecting said nozzle to said combustion chamber for directing the hot products of combustion from said burner nozzle to said combustion chamber whereby the hot products of combustion comingle with said exhaust gases to transform any carbon or carbon monoxide in said exhaust gases to carbon dioxide.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein the means for effecting gasification of said liquid fuel includes means connecting said nozzle to said gasification chamber for recirculating a portion of the products of combustion to said gasification chamber.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said means connecting the nozzle to said combustion chamber introduces the hot products of combustion tangentially of said combustion chamber.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 and including a baffle means disposed in said combustion chamber,

said baffle means being disposed over and spaced from the exhaust inlet thereto for directing the exhaust gases entering therein toward the periphery of said combustion chamber so as to enhance the co-mingling of the exhaust gases with the products of combustion of said burner.

10. In combination,

an internal combustion engine having an exhaust stack,

a combustion chamber having an inlet and an outlet,

said exhaust stack being connected in communication with said inlet,

a baffle means disposed in said combustion chamber in spaced relationship to said inlet,

said baffle means being spaced from the walls of said chamber for directing the exhaust products flowing through said stack toward the walls of said chamber,

a burner means operatively connected to said chamber,

said burner means including a burner head having a face portion,

means defining a burner orifice formed in said face portion,

a flame nozzle connected to the face of said burner head,

means defining a mixing chamber formed in said burner head,

an air injector nozzle extending into said mixing chamber,

means defining a gasification chamber disposed in communication with said mixing chamber,

means interconnecting said burner nozzle in communication with said gasification chamber for effecting the recirculation or a portion of the hot products of combustion generated in said flame nozzle to said gasification chamber, whereby the heat of said recirculating products of combustion is utilized to effect gasification of said fuel,

means for directing combustion air to said air injector to mix with said gasified fuel to form a homogeneous fuel mixture,

means for effecting ignition of said homogeneous fuel mixture,

and means interconnecting said flame nozzle to said combustion chamber to effect a co-mingling of said hot products of combustion with said exhaust products in said combustion chamber to transform any carbon or carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.

11. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said last mentioned means introduces said hot products of combustion tangentially of said combustion chamber. 

2. A method of eliminating combustible emissions and/or the carbon monoxide constituents from exhaust gases discharging to atmosphere, comprising the steps of directing the exhaust gases to a combustion chamber, generating hot products of combustion by effecting the substantial gasification of a liquid fuel, said gasification of the liquid fuel being effected by circulating a portion of the hot products of combustion and mixing said circulated portion with said fuel prior to ignition, mixing an excess amount of combustion air with said gasified fuel to form a homogeneous fuel mixture prior to combustion and mixing said hot products of combustion with said exhaust gases and entrained combustible emissions in the combustion chamber whereby said hot products of combustion with excess air effect the transformation of carbon and/or carbon monoxide constituents to carbon dioxide.
 3. An antipollution after burner capable of reducing unwanted emissions from an internal combustion engine, such as a diesel engine and capable of utilizing a low-grade liquid fuel, such as diesel fuel, to operate the after burner, said after burner including a combustion chamber to receive the emissions from said engine, said chamber having an inlet to receive said emissions and an outlet, a generator to generate hot combustion gases, said generator including a gasifying chamber, means to supply liquid fuel to said gasifying chamber, a burning chamber, an air inlet to said burning chamber, and means to return a portion of the products of the combustion occurring in said burning chamber to said gasifying chamber to supply gasifying heat for use to gasify liquid fuel entering said gasifying chamber and means to direct the hot gases together with excess air to said combustion chamber whereby said engine emissions will be subject to further combustion to reduce the unwanted pollutants.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 and including means disposed in said combustion chamber to effect the intimate mixing of said exhaust products of combustion with said generated hot gases and excess air.
 5. In combination with an exhaust of internal combustion engine, a combustion chamber having means defining an inlet and an outlet thereto, means for connecting said exhaust of said engine in communication with said inlet whereby the exhaust products of said engine and any combustible emission entrained therein are directed to said combustion chamber, burner means operatively associated with said combustion chamber, means for introducing liquid fuel and an excess of air to said burner and burning said fuel therein so that the resulting products of combustion define a mixture of hot combustion gases with an excess of air, means for recirculating a portion of said products of combustion back to the inlet of said burner, and means for directing said hot mixture of combustion gases and excess air to said combustion chamber to co-mingle with said exhaust products to change any carbon particles or carbon monoxide in said exhaust products to carbon dioxide.
 6. An antipollution after burner comprising: a combustion chamber having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet being adapted to connect in communication with a stack through which exhaust products of combustion and any unburned carbon emission are exhausted, a burner means operatively connected to said combustion chamber, said burner means including burner head, a burner nozzle connected to said burner head, means in said burner head defining a mixing chamber, said burner head having an orifice communicating said mixing chamber with said nozzle, a fuel gasification chamber connected in communication with said mixing chamber, means for introducing liquid fuel into said gasification chamber, means for heating said liquid fuel within said gasification chamber to effect substantial gasification of said liquid fuel, means for introducing excess combustion air into said mixing chamber to form a homogeneous fuel mixture with said gasified liquid fuel, means for effecting ignition of said homogeneous fuel mixture, and means connecting said nozzle to said combustion chamber for directing the hot products of combustion from said burner nozzle to said combustion chamber whereby the hot products of combustion co-mingle with said exhaust gases to transform any carbon or carbon monoxide in said exhaust gases to carbon dioxide.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein the means for effecting gasification of said liquid fuel includes means connecting said nozzle to said gasification chamber for recirculating a portion of thE products of combustion to said gasification chamber.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said means connecting the nozzle to said combustion chamber introduces the hot products of combustion tangentially of said combustion chamber.
 9. The invention as defined in claim 8 and including a baffle means disposed in said combustion chamber, said baffle means being disposed over and spaced from the exhaust inlet thereto for directing the exhaust gases entering therein toward the periphery of said combustion chamber so as to enhance the co-mingling of the exhaust gases with the products of combustion of said burner.
 10. In combination, an internal combustion engine having an exhaust stack, a combustion chamber having an inlet and an outlet, said exhaust stack being connected in communication with said inlet, a baffle means disposed in said combustion chamber in spaced relationship to said inlet, said baffle means being spaced from the walls of said chamber for directing the exhaust products flowing through said stack toward the walls of said chamber, a burner means operatively connected to said chamber, said burner means including a burner head having a face portion, means defining a burner orifice formed in said face portion, a flame nozzle connected to the face of said burner head, means defining a mixing chamber formed in said burner head, an air injector nozzle extending into said mixing chamber, means defining a gasification chamber disposed in communication with said mixing chamber, means interconnecting said burner nozzle in communication with said gasification chamber for effecting the recirculation or a portion of the hot products of combustion generated in said flame nozzle to said gasification chamber, whereby the heat of said recirculating products of combustion is utilized to effect gasification of said fuel, means for directing combustion air to said air injector to mix with said gasified fuel to form a homogeneous fuel mixture, means for effecting ignition of said homogeneous fuel mixture, and means interconnecting said flame nozzle to said combustion chamber to effect a co-mingling of said hot products of combustion with said exhaust products in said combustion chamber to transform any carbon or carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.
 11. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said last mentioned means introduces said hot products of combustion tangentially of said combustion chamber. 